[Buddha-l] Nakedness

[F.K. Lehman (F.K.L. Chit Hlaing)]

Responding the the opening part of Joy Vriens' posting: Biardeau's 
idea that Mahaabharata was composed to some extent in reaction to the 
rise of Buddhism is sound enough, considering the degree to which 
Bhakti-oriented varieties of Hinduism wre all motivated in htis waqy 
--- and Mahaabharata is a work on Bhakta lines, after all. It was 
Buddhism (and maybe also Jainism?) that set the stage because they 
were more 'catholic' in their appeal, in what they offered in 
spiritual solace to ALL, than previously more elitist Brahmanism. And 
then, as to 'nakedness', remember that it was intended to serve the 
purpose of being completely non-attached to anything worldly, as, 
above all, with the so-called 'sky-clad' (pam.sukulika) variety of 
Jaina monks.
-- 
F. K. L. Chit Hlaing
Professor
Department of Anthropology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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